More strength for Lanka, Russia ties

A delegation from the Russian University of Friendship between People better known as the Patrice Lumumba People's Friendship University called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday.

President Rajapaksa said the university named after Patrice Lumumba, an outstanding leader of the African people who fought against colonialism and imperialism, carried a valuable message to the entire world.

"The friendship between Sri Lanka and Russia grew in the 1970s and we have once again taken steps to strengthen this diplomatic relations," President Rajapaksa said.

The delegation which comprised Vice Chancellor of the University, Victor Ponka invited President Rajapaksa to attend the Golden Jubilee celebration of the University which will be held in February 2010.

Sri Lanka has also been selected to represent the Asian region to conduct field educational activities to mark the University's Golden Jubilee celebration. The other five countries include the Dominican Republic, Syria, Kazakhstan and France.

This International University caters to students from 137 countries and nearly 4,000 Sri Lankans have passed out from this campus so far.

Sri Lanka-Russian Friendship Association President Minister Susil Premajayantha and Colombo National Hospital Director Hector Weerasinghe were also present.

********

The People's Friendship University of Russia is an educational and research institution in the South of Moscow. It was founded in 1960 as Patrice Lumumba People's Friendship University. Its objective was to help nations of the Third World, mainly in Asia, Africa and South America, by providing higher education and professional training.

********